Sarah Shirk – Audiology Internship

Ever since middle school, I knew my answer to the question that would determine my future for the next decade of my life: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It was simple. I wanted to be a speech-language pathologist. I wanted to help people with their speech impediments and help them develop proper speaking capabilities. I even attended the Misericordia University Speech Pathology Exploration Camp, which I thought just confirmed my goal even further. However, the moment I stepped in Dr. Zoe Horan’s office, I became hooked on audiology.

Dr. Horan owns Resonance Audiology and Hearing Aid Center, a place where people come to learn about their hearing losses, options for amplification, and even get custom earplugs. I had always understood that audiology and speech pathology had the same undergraduate degree, but I never explored my other option. I came to Dr. Horan to explore the field, just in case, I decided speech pathology was not for me in college. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity she has given me because now I am set on becoming an audiologist.

Every day brings something new to learn, and Dr. Horan is an excellent teacher. Since August, I have learned how to clean a hearing aid, how to perform a hearing evaluation, program hearing aids and more. Many of my tasks are the same, but my role in the office has shifted slightly in this second semester. Now, I begin routine hearing aid checks by cleaning the patient’s hearing aids and conversing with them about their experiences with the aids. Then Dr. Horan comes in to finalize the check with programming and fitting expertise. I assist Jodi with scheduling patients and making courtesy reminder calls as well. At first, I fell back into my timid ways, but gradually I grew into my new position. I enjoy interacting with the patients more often and the excitement of completing tasks on my own. Everyone is so kind, and it has made it even easier to fit into Dr. Horan’s team.

Overall, without Dr. Horan’s generosity, I would not be on the path that I am today. Before this internship, I would have been preparing for a career that I would not have enjoyed nearly as much. Now, I am prepared to learn all I can about the audiology field. I would not feel this way if were not for Dr. Horan, and I thank her for everything she has taught me. She has been so kind, patient, and inspirational; I could not have asked for a better mentor. I cannot thank her enough for this amazing learning opportunity she has given me.